NOON SNAPSHOT - Americas Markets Summary

CRUDE: May WTI: $95.38/bbl, up 57 cents; May Brent: $108.10/bbl, down 7 centsNYMEX WTI crude futures extended recent gains, tracking a rally in the stock market in response to released data showing strong US home sales. Brent continued to underperform, narrowing further the negative trans-Atlantic arbitrage.

NATURAL GAS: Apr: $3.885/MMBtu, up 2 centsThe April contract on the NYMEX natural gas market edged upwards through Tuesday morning trade, boosted by the strong near-term demand outlook as implied by forecasts for colder-than-usual weather over the central and eastern US over the next two weeks.

ETHANE: higher at 29.50 cents/galEthane spot prices were up on higher bids and offers.

AROMATICS: Benzene flat at $4.38-4.43US benzene prices were flat this morning because of inactivity. Many trade participants are out of the market because of an industry function.